Mizo Academy of Letters
| Abbreviation | MAL |
|---|---|
| Formation | 23 April 1964 |
| Purpose | Promotion and preservation of Mizo literature |
| Headquarters | Aizawl, Mizoram, India |
Official language | Mizo |
| Website | mizoacademyofletters |
The Mizo Academy of Letters (MAL) is a literary organisation based in Aizawl, Mizoram, India, dedicated to the promotion and preservation of literature in the Mizo language. It is the foremost body for Mizo literature and administers the principal literary awards given to Mizo writers. The academy publishes the monthly literary journal Thu leh Hla.
History
The Mizo Academy of Letters was founded on 23 April 1964.[1] Its founding secretary was J. Malsawma, who served in that role during 1964–65.[2] The organisation grew out of a need to formalise and support literary activity in Mizo, a Tibeto-Burman language written in the Roman script since the arrival of Christian missionaries in 1894.[3] According to scholar Laltluangliana Khiangte, the academy has been taking major steps for the development of the Mizo language, literature and culture since its formation.[4]
The academy has two headquarters: its main office in Aizawl and a joint headquarters in Lunglei.[5] As of 2022 the academy had 367 members, along with 3 donor members and 58 life members, organised under a joint headquarters in Lunglei and several affiliated literature clubs across Mizoram and in Myanmar, including the Mizo Writers Association, SEDAL, Ramhlun Literature Club, Chhimtuipui Academy of Letters, Saitual Literature Club, Lawngtlai Academy of Letters, and Letpanchhawng Duhlian Literature Club.[1] By late 2024 the membership had grown to nearly 500, organised under a general headquarters, three joint headquarters, and a branch office.[6]
In November 2024 the academy marked its Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) with a week-long programme at Vanapa Hall and other venues in Aizawl. The book fair component featured exhibitions from 23 local bookstores and 10 independent authors, with books sold at discounted prices; works of Mizo writers, rare manuscripts, and award-winning titles were also on display.[6] The main Diamond Jubilee celebration took place on 29 November 2024 at Pi Zaii Hall, Synod Conference Centre, with Art & Culture Minister C. Lalsawivunga as the chief guest.
Publication
The academy publishes Thu leh Hla (lit. "Words and Songs"), a monthly literary journal that carries stories, articles, essays, poems, reports, and critical writings in Mizo. Each issue runs to 48 pages and is sold at ₹20 per copy, with an annual subscription rate of ₹200.[1] The journal has served as the principal platform for Mizo creative writing and criticism since the academy's early years.[4]
Awards
Mizo Academy Award
The Mizo Academy Award is the academy's principal annual prize, awarded to a Mizo writer for an outstanding body of work or contribution to Mizo literature. It was first presented in 1979 to the Reverend Liangkhaia (1884–1979), the author of Mizo Chanchin (1926), a foundational work of Mizo historical writing.[7] Notable recipients include James Dokhuma (1983), who received the Padma Shri in 1985 for literature and education,[8] and Lalthangfala Sailo (2019), the thirteenth recipient of the award.[7]
Pu Buanga Award
The Pu Buanga Award is the highest literary honour conferred by the academy, named after Rev. J. H. Lorrain (known in Mizo as "Pu Buanga"), one of the two Baptist missionaries who codified the Mizo alphabet and script in 1894.[9] First presented in 2000, it is awarded every three years to a Mizo writer of exceptional lifetime achievement, and carries a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize. Recipients include Lalsangzuali Sailo (2000), Laltluangliana Khiangte (2010), and Ralte L. Thanmawia (2022).[5]
Book of the Year
The Book of the Year award has been presented annually since 1989 to the best book published in the Mizo language. The award carries a cash prize of ₹10,000 and a citation, along with a one-year subscription to Thu leh Hla.[1] The selection process involves a committee that considers all Mizo-language books published in the preceding year.[10] Past recipients include Laltluangliana Khiangte (for his play Pasaltha Khuangchera, 1997) and Lalsangzuali Sailo (for Tlawm ve lo Lalnu Ropuiliani, 1999).[11] More recent recipients include Lalhruaitluanga Chawngte (2021, for Hnam Ropuite U Tho R'u Le)[12] and Zohmangaihi (2022, for Daidanna Bang Phena Thuruk).[13] In 2024 the award was presented at the academy's foundation day ceremony at the I&PR Auditorium, Aizawl, by a minister of the Government of Mizoram; Hun Inher Kara Zofate by F. Vanlalrochana, selected from among 215 books published that year, was named the Book of the Year 2024.[14]
Language
The academy works exclusively in the Mizo language (also called Mizo ṭawng), a Kuki-Chin language of the Tibeto-Burman family. Mizo is written in the Roman script and is the official language of Mizoram alongside English. It serves as the lingua franca of the state and is spoken by the majority of Mizoram's population as well as Mizo communities in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.[3][15]
The academy's work is sustained by a wide print media ecosystem in Mizoram. The Mizo-language daily Vanglaini, founded in 1978, is the highest-circulation newspaper in the state and has regularly covered and reviewed the academy's awards and activities.[16][17] Other major Mizo-language newspapers that cover the academy's work include Zothlifim and the government's own Directorate of Information & Public Relations, which publishes official event reports in Mizo.[18]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "MAL 58th Foundation Day Report" (in Mizo ţawng). Mizo Academy of Letters. April 2022.
- ↑ Guptā, Ramaṇikā (2014). Indigenous Voices: An Anthology of Literature from the Margins. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180693007. Search this book on
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Mizo Literature". Central Institute of Indian Languages.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Khiangte, Laltluangliana (February 2012). "Mizo Literature: Opening the Door to Development". NELit Review.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Lunglei ah Pu Buanga Award hlanna inkhawm neih a ni" (in Mizo ţawng). Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Mizoram.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Mizo Academy of Letters celebrates 60th anniversary with Pho Chhuah Runpui event". Zoram News. 25 November 2024.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Mizo Academy Award 2019: Pu Lalthangfala Sailo hnenah hlan a ni" (in Mizo ţawng). Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Mizoram. 22 November 2019.
- ↑ "List of Padma award recipients from Mizoram". Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Serchhip District, Government of Mizoram.
- ↑ "Writings in Mizo Manuscripts" (PDF). National Mission for Manuscripts, Government of India.
- ↑ Zadeng, Rinfela (26 April 2023). "Lehkhabu thlirna: MAL Book of The Year 2022" (in Mizo ţawng). Vanglaini.
- ↑ "Mizo Academy of Letters Book of the Year list". Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Serchhip District, Government of Mizoram.
- ↑ "MAL Book of the Year 2021 dawngtu hnenah lawmman hlan" (in Mizo ţawng). Zothlifim. 25 April 2022.
- ↑ Zadeng, Rinfela (26 April 2023). "Lehkhabu thlirna: MAL Book of The Year 2022 Daidanna Bang Phena Thuruk" (in Mizo ţawng). Vanglaini.
- ↑ "Pu B. Lalchhanzova'n MAL Book of the Year 2024 lawmman a hlan" (in Mizo ţawng). Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Mizoram. 23 April 2025.
- ↑ "People of Mizoram". Government of Mizoram.
- ↑ Zirsangkima (2024). "MAL Book of the Year 2024 "Pangparhnima" leh a chheh vel" (in Mizo ţawng). Vanglaini.
- ↑ Chhuanvawra, C. "Mizo ṭawng chungchang" (in Mizo ţawng). Vanglaini.
- ↑ "CM-in Mizo Academy of Letters din champhaphak lawmna a hmanpui" (in Mizo ţawng). Digital News Daily Mizoram. 25 April 2022.
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